Arsenal target Eli Junior Kroupi is expected to miss up to four months after undergoing surgery on a fractured metatarsal.
The Bournemouth forward suffered the injury during pre-season training in Austria. He returned to England before successfully undergoing surgery earlier this week.
The London Standard reports that Kroupi could remain unavailable until late October or November.
Arsenal had weighed up a move for the 20-year-old as Mikel Arteta considered further attacking additions. Tottenham, Paris Saint-Germain and Barcelona had also monitored his situation.
However, Bournemouth maintained that Kroupi was not available for transfer before his injury. The forward scored 13 goals in 33 appearances during an impressive debut Premier League campaign.
Eli Junior Kroupi injury ends immediate Arsenal move
The Eli Junior Kroupi injury has effectively removed any realistic possibility of Arsenal signing him this summer.
Arteta would be adding a player requiring several months of rehabilitation, while Bournemouth have no financial pressure to approve a departure.
Arsenal have already strengthened their wide options with Christos Tzolis. However, the Gunners remain attentive to other forwards, with Fabrizio Romano providing an update on their interest in Julián Álvarez.
Kroupi could remain a longer-term target once he returns to action. His age, Premier League experience and goalscoring record make him an attractive option for Arsenal’s recruitment team.
For now, his recovery will take priority. Arsenal must either pursue another attacker or wait until a future window before reconsidering a move.
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